Diego Maradona, Argentina Football legend is dead

 

Former Argentina football player, Diego Maradona has reportedly died after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to reports in Argentina.

According to the Argentina newspaper, Clarín, the football legend suffered a cardio respiratory arrest at his home.

The death of Maradona is coming just two weeks after leaving the hospital. The Albiceleste superstar was recovering at his home in Tigre after undergoing brain surgery at the start of November. He was aged 60.

The Gimnasia coach had been hospitalised at the start of November, days after celebrating the landmark birthday, after complaining of low spirits and fatigue.  Tests at the La Plata clinic revealed a blood clot on the brain, which doctors later revealed was operated on successfully.

Maradona was subsequently released from hospital as an outpatient to continue his convalescence, which he carried out in his dwelling in a private neighbourhood near Tigre, northern Buenos Aires.

But on Wednesday morning he suffered cardiac arrest, and paramedics at the scene failed to revive him.

The Argentine national team’s official Twitter account confirmed the new on Wednesday, paying tribute to one of the nation’s favourite footballing sons.

“You will be eternal in every heart of the football world,” the message stated as it bade farewell to the superstar.

Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia also expressed his “deep grief” after learning the news.

Maradona began his professional career with Argentinos Juniors at the age of 16 and went on to be considered one of the greatest players ever to step onto a football field. The diminutive left-footed forward went on to represent Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys as a player, and the likes of Racing Club, Dorados, Gimnasia and the Argentina national team later as a coach.

It was with the Albiceleste, though, that his name was immortalised.

Diego was instrumental in taking Argentina to their second World Cup triumph in 1986, captaining the team that prevailed over West Germany in the final under the stewardship of Carlos Bilardo.